The Virgin of Guadalupe is a 16th century Mexican icon of the Virgin Mary which appears on wall murals and tattoos around the streets of East LA. This pod by vc2 producer Carlos Aguilar explores this iconography with interviews of artists, academics and people from the community.

Bookworm Brown is the future of Los Angeles Hip Hop. With a style best described as apocalyptic, his razor sharp lyricism excites the mind of the listener as it cuts through the mediocrity of most modern day rap.

Although Bookworm has proven himself a victorious and vicious freestyler in both organized and street battles, it’s his use of the written word that captivates the soul of the listener. His song, "Run!", based on the Luis Rodriguez novel, Always Running, was utilized as promotional material for the national Artist For Literacy Campaign. In addition to his songwriting skills, Bookworm has written over 180 television shows for the Mun2 network, won regional poetry contests and has published essays and articles for national publications.

With a Master’s degree in the Philosophy of Religion and Ethics and several years of teaching under his belt, Bookworm has been invited to perform and offer motivational messages at high schools, churches, youth prisons, retreats and charitable events. Fueled by a commitment to excellence and a zeal for all things fresh, Bookworm Brown has also pioneered Hip Hop street performances across China, Korea, Japan, Mexico and Guatemala. With rhymes driven by unique experiences, a passion for twiddling with language and a personality poised for success, Bookworm Brown is making it happen.